Patience for Ryan Mathews' Fumbling Is Not Infinite, and Other AFC West News

San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews had a key fumble in the red zone last weekend, and the organization may be growing frustrated with his struggles holding onto the ball.

Fumbling has been a problem for Mathews even more so than injuries. In 27 career games, he has fumbled 11 times, which is a fumble in approximately 41 percent of his games played. To put that in perspective, Mathews has played in 77 percent of the Chargers' games since 2010.

Injuries are part of the game, but the vast majority of fumbles are avoidable.

General manager A.J. Smith spoke with Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribuneabout his philosophy (and thus the organization's philosophy) of how to handle chronic fumblers. That philosophy is not favorable for Mathews, and it's a warning that if the fumbles continue, he'll lose playing time and eventually his job.

Smith's philosophy, per Acee's story, is as follows:

First, the fumbler plays less.

Second, the fumbler plays on a limited basis.

Third, the fumbler get benched to think about it before getting a last chance.

Fourth, he becomes someone else's fumbler.

Smith has basically laid out a three-strikes philosophy for fumblers, and Mathews already has strike one. It's in his best interest to correct the issue now—before the Chargers start taking more extreme measures.